Tequilla, Tears and the Truth.

Sometimes, it takes a little nudge to get the truth out in the open. Last night, the nudge just happened to be contained in frosty glasses of icy Margaritas. Tequilla is a bit like truth serum isn't it? It has the power to get the tongue wagging and the tears flowing.

Yes......... last evening a group of friends and all the kids gathered for a celebratory potluck to toast and congratulate a family who will be moving away in a couple of weeks. The core group of people who attended I consider as close as family.

Chosen family. Ma famille de la coeur.

Since my family as well as my husband's live in another province, we have celebrated many milestones, and many holidays together. Weddings, births, deaths, promotions, illnesses, overcoming struggles, personal demons, birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.......the whole gamut of life's milestones are tied in with these people. An accumulation of "remember whens" that bind people together. And now, one of these families is moving away.

We have all had mixed feelings about it. Joy and excitement for their new adventure, relief that they are now heading down a more financially stable career path all mixed with anger and sadness that they will not be just around the corner. And yet, those of us who are staying put have felt it was best to "suck it up" stoically, smile and only show the joy and excitement side. Turns out, they have been doing the same thing. Until the first Margarita was consumed.

The "remember whens" began flowing between myself, and my friends Anne and Linda............ the truth came pouring out. Here Anne and I were thinking we were doing the best thing by encouraging with brave words all the while our dear friend Linda was feeling like nobody actually wanted her to stay. We had done such a great job ...... taking her cues and listening to her brave comments about the whole move is a great adventure, etc and yet, what she really needed to hear was that we didn't want her to leave and we would miss her terribly.

Once the truth was established the three of us had a good teary laugh. Realizing that a bunch of kids were sitting behind us staring in shock and awe that their mommies were losing it, fearing that we would not be reliable if needed, we took the soupy discussion into the large bathroom, accompanied with topped up glasses of Tequilla and enjoyed a trip down our shared path of accumulated memories. Laughter, tears, confessions and fears all mixed with the truth and a sense of belonging. No stoicism was allowed.

A friend is someone who strengthens you with prayers,
blesses you with love, and encourages you with hope.